Bicycle-pedal



H. TUDOR.

BICYCLE PEDAL.

(No Model.)

Patented Aug. 10,1897.

WITNESSES.

m: moans warms co. PHOTO-LYING. wusmnnrou, n cv UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

HENRY TUDOR, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BICYCLE-PEDAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 588,038, dated August10, 1897.

Application filed October 9, 1896.

To (all whom it 7771/14 concern..-

Be it known that I, HENRY TUDOR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Bicycle-Pedals;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to figures of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to bicycles, particularly the pedal or thatportion of the machine by which the foot is supported upon the end ofthe crank.

The object of my invention is to avoid the use of toe-clips or otherdevices by which to prevent the foot from slipping off or disengagingfrom the pedal and thus losing the latter.

To carry out my invention, I make the pedal magnetic. In other words, Imaintain constant contact between the pedal and foot by means ofmagnetism.

The drawings represent, in Figure 1, a longitudinal sectional elevationof a bicycle-pedal embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar viewshowing the upraised lip and a single magnet; Fig. 3, likewise a sectionwith two magnets.

In the above drawings I have represented at 2 the end of a crank such asis generally used on bicycles. Pivotallysecured upon this element is thepedal 3, which in the present instance is equipped with a metallic plate4. This plate is a permanent magnet and may vary in shape and sizedependent upon the firmness with which the foot is to be held to thepedal. In order to accomplish this result, the toe portion or sole ofthe boot or shoe to be used is fitted with a soft-iron plate 5, which isto magnetically engage the plate 4. By preference this plate is to beremovably secured upon the foot by straps 7 7, elastic or otherwise,although in the case of regular bicycle-shoes the plate may be made afixture to the outer sole by screws or otherwise, as shown in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings. Hence after the foot is properly positioned upon the pedalSerial No. 608,343. (No model.)

the magnetic attraction between the pedalmagnet and the shoe-plate is tobe sufficient to readily hold the foot in a fixed position and preventany change or disengagement from the pedal which might occur arisingfrom high speed or due to shocks or jolts owing to irregularities in thesurface of the road.

It is evident that various methods may be adopted which will embody myinvention.

That is, in lieu of a magnet on the pedal, as in Figs. 1 and 2, themagnet may be upon the shoe, as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.Furthermore, in lieu of a magnet and a softiron plate two magnets 4 4may be used, with the poles properly positioned to produce the greatestmagnetic attraction.

In Fig. 2 I have shown the rear edge of the magnet formed with anupturned lip 6, and this is to be in height very nearly equal to thethickness of the shoe-plate. Thus when the foot is properly positionedsaid lip is to bear against the back edge of the shoe and tends toprevent any separation during the upward movement of the pedal when theinactive portion of the stroke takes place. This tendency to separateoccurs generally when the saddle is set high and the foot is extended toits limit on the farthest extreme throw of the pedal.

In Fig. 3 I have shown two lips," between which the shoe-plate rests.

' What I claim is 1. The combination with a pedal, and a permanentmagnet thereon, of a metallic plate to rest upon said magnet and affixedto the shoe of a rider.

2. The combination with a pedal, and a permanent magnet thereupon, of apermanent magnet attached to the shoe of a rider.

3. In combination with a crank, a pedal at the free extremity thereof, amagnetic plate secured to said pedal, a transverse lip upon the upperside of said magnet, and a metallic plate secured to the shoe of a riderand to be held magnetically to the plate.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY TUDOR.

IVitnesses:

H. E. LODGE, FRANCIS O. STANWooD.

